Brookhaven Academy and Copiah Academy kick off the 2008Mississippi Private School Association football season Friday nightwith a pair of big matchups on tap. All games begin at 7 p.m.

Brookhaven Academy, under first-year head coach Herbert DavisJr., opens up at home against defending Class AA state champCentreville Academy. Copiah, coached by Scott Cline, is on the roadat Franklinton, La. to meet Bowling Green.

In other area MPSA games, Parklane entertains Oak Forest.

Herbert is in his second reign as head football coach atBrookhaven Academy. In his one year at BA, Davis led the Cougars tothe AA state football championship back in 1993.

In last Friday’s jamboree game at Parklane, Brookhaven knockedoff the host Pioneers 20-14. Cougar starting quarterback Ty Smithsustained a cracked bone in his left foot following the firstscoring drive. Smith will be out for 3-5 weeks.

“We are getting better,” said Davis. “We’re still not where weneed to be fundamentally. We still have to play lower upfront.”

Centreville Academy defeated Marshall Academy for the statetitle 36-21 last year. Davis says the Tigers did not lose many tograduation and look good again.

“Centreville has one their better teams,” stated Davis. “They’vegot a good quarterback and tailback. They are really, reallyphysical. They won it last year and have most everybody back.

“We have a huge challenge ahead of us. Centerville is one of thebest teams in the state. If you want to be the best, you have tobeat the best.”

Davis announced the BA starters on offense for Friday night,featuring Chandler Rogers (6-3, 180, soph.) at quarterback,Nathaniel Sbravati (6-1, 200, sr.) at fullback, Kyle Burt (5-10,160, sr.) and Kolby Byrd (6-0, 225, sr.) at tailback. Trip Jolly(6-0, 150, jr.) is at wide receiver.

On the line, Will Gatlin (6-3, 215, jr.) is left tackle, ClintStewart (6-0, 240, jr.) is left guard, Caleb Williams (6-2, 250,sr.) is center, Caleb Covington (6-0, 250, sr.) is right guard,Reid Smith (6-2, 235, sr.) is right tackle and Garrett Posey (6-4,205, sr.) is tight end.

Defensively, Covington is noseguard. Austin Barnett (5-11, 185,jr.) and Gatlin are ends. Sbravati is strong linebacker, Byrd ismiddle linebacker and Caleb Dorman (5-10, 175, sr.) is weak sidelinebacker. Jennings Mills (5-11, 165, soph.), Alan Michael Allred(6-0, 175, soph.) and Burke are at safety. Mark Rushing (5-11, 165,soph.) and Jolly are corners.

The team punter is Scottie Peavey (6-0, 170, soph.). Sbravati isthe kicker.

“I’m excited about being at home,” said Davis. “We’re startingout against a great team. We’re going to white out the TigersFriday night.”

Copiah Academy

Copiah, went 11-2 last year in Cline’s first season at the helm,falling to eventual state champ Centreville in the second round ofthe AA playoffs.

Last week, Copiah held a jamboree and lost to Trinity Episcopal6-0 and came back for a scoreless tie with Adams County ChristianSchool.

The Colonels will continue to run the same offense as lastyear.

Starting at quarterback for the Colonels is junior Ben Boone(5-11, 164). Boone replaces Daniel Sims who graduated.

Bryce Guess (6-0, 190, jr.) starts at tailback for the Colonels.On the line, Cullen Gentry is back at defensive tackle and RobPyron returns at right guard/defensive tackle.

Parklane

Parklane is under the direction of new head coach Bo Milton.Milton. The former Brookhaven Academy head coach replaced longtimePioneer boss Charlie Newlon who retired last year. Milton playedunder Newlon at Parklane.

One of the bright spots on the Pioneer team this year is thereturn of junior runningback/linebacker Josh Armstreet (5-10, 180).Last year, Armstreet rushed the football 158 times for 1,571 yardsand scored 16 TDs.

Parklane gets an added boost from McComb Tiger transfer DontrellSargent (5-11, 250, sr.). Sargent also excels on the baseballfield.